Cards and devices with embedded holograms

ABSTRACT

A card, such as a payment card, or other device may include an electronics package. The electronics package may include electronic components mounted on a flexible, printed circuit board. The electronics package may be laminated (e.g., via a hot, cold, or molding lamination process) between layers of transparent polymer. A hologram may be fixed to one side of the electronics package such that the hologram may be viewed from the exterior of the laminated card having transparent polymer layers. As such, the hologram may not be removed without breaching the integrity of a transparent polymer layer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/356,573 filed Jan. 23, 2012, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/435,320, titled “CARDS AND DEVICESWITH EMBEDDED HOLOGRAMS,” filed Jan. 23, 2011, each of which is herebyincorporated by reference herein in its their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to magnetic cards and devices and associatedpayment systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A card may include a dynamic magnetic communications device. Such adynamic magnetic communications device may take the form of a magneticencoder or a magnetic emulator. A magnetic encoder may change theinformation located on a magnetic medium such that a magnetic stripereader may read changed magnetic information from the magnetic medium. Amagnetic emulator may generate electromagnetic fields that directlycommunicate data to a magnetic stripe reader. Such a magnetic emulatormay communicate data serially to a read-head of the magnetic stripereader.

All, or substantially all, of the front as well as the back of a cardmay be a display (e.g., bi-stable, non bi-stable, LCD, or electrochromicdisplay). Electrodes of a display may be coupled to one or morecapacitive touch sensors such that a display may be provided as atouch-screen display. Any type of touch-screen display may be utilized.Such touch-screen displays may be operable of determining multiplepoints of touch. A barcode, for example, may be displayed across all, orsubstantially all, of a surface of a card. In doing so, computer visionequipment such as barcode readers may be less susceptible to errors inreading a displayed barcode.

A card may include a number of output devices to output dynamicinformation. For example, a card may include one or more RFIDs or ICchips to communicate to one or more RFID readers or IC chip readers,respectively. A card may include devices to receive information. Forexample, an RFID and IC chip may both receive information andcommunicate information to an RFID and IC chip reader, respectively. Acard may include a central processor that communicates data through oneor more output devices simultaneously (e.g., an RFID, IC chip, and adynamic magnetic stripe communications device). The central processormay receive information from one or more input devices simultaneously(e.g., an RFID, IC chip, and dynamic magnetic stripe devices). Aprocessor may be coupled to surface contacts such that the processor mayperform the processing capabilities of, for example, an EMV chip. Theprocessor may be laminated over and not exposed such that such aprocessor is not exposed on the surface of the card.

A card may be provided with a button in which the activation of thebutton causes a code to be communicated through a dynamic magneticstripe communications device (e.g., the subsequent time a read-headdetector on the card detects a read-head). The code may be indicativeof, for example, a payment option. The code may be received by the cardvia manual input (e.g., onto buttons of the card).

A magnetic emulator may include a coil. Inside the coil, one or morestrips of a material (e.g., a magnetic or non-magnetic material) may beprovided. Outside of the coil, one or more strips of a material (e.g., amagnetic or non-magnetic material) may be provided.

A card may be formed by providing an electronic assembly between twolayers of transparent polymer, injecting a liquid laminate between thosetwo layers, and then hardening the liquid laminate. The liquid laminatemay also be, for example, transparent. The liquid laminate may behardened via, for example, a chemical, temperature, optical (e.g., UV orlow-band blue light), or any other method.

A security hologram may be attached to the electronic assembly. Forexample, a security hologram may be fixed to a surface of a flexible,printed circuit board. The hologram may be viewable through, forexample, a layer of transparent polymer and a transparent liquidlaminate later hardened that is provided between the hologram and theexterior of the card. Printing may occur on the surface of thetransparent layer of polymer above the security hologram. Such printingmay take many forms, such as an acrylic-based printing material. Aliquid material may be dropped (e.g., via drop-on-demand printing) onthe layer of transparent polymer and later hardened (e.g., via a UV orlow-band blue light). The printing material may not be provided over anarea where the security hologram may be perceived. In doing so, forexample, the security hologram may be viewable as being embedded in acard. In this manner, a user may not remove the hologram, for example,without breaching the integrity of a layer of transparent polymer andthe card. Print material may be provided over a layer of transparentmaterial that resides over a security hologram. The print material maybe provided as written indicia (e.g., a name or logo of a paymentnetwork) or may be provided as indicia to hide a portion of the securityhologram to, for example, make the security hologram be perceived ashaving a particular shape. Print material may be provided directly on asecurity hologram so that the print material is protected by a layer oftransparent polymer.

A security hologram may be, for example, fixed to an object (e.g., asurface of a flexible, printed circuit board) via an adhesive such as aglue or an adhesive tape. A glue may, for example, provide for anadhesive applicable through a liquid dispersing device. An adhesivetape, for example, may provide a surface of uniform thickness such thatthe hologram may retain a flat surface. A hologram may be provided withthe image of a logo of a payment network, a payment card issuer, or anycompany. A barcode may be printed on a printed circuit board, a layer oftransparent polymer (e.g., a layer that a hologram is located under), oron a print material. A layer of transparent polymer may, for example, bea layer of transparent PVC or a layer of transparent non-PVC material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The principles and advantages of the present invention can be moreclearly understood from the following detailed description considered inconjunction with the following drawings, in which the same referencenumerals denote the same structural elements throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of cards constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a card constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a card constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a card portion constructed in accordancewith the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of processes constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a card portion constructed in accordancewith the principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows card 100 that may include, for example, a dynamic numberthat may be entirely, or partially, displayed using a display (e.g.,display 106). A dynamic number may include a permanent portion such as,for example, permanent portion 104 and a dynamic portion such as, forexample, dynamic portion 106. Card 100 may include a dynamic numberhaving permanent portion 104 and permanent portion 104 may beincorporated on card 100 so as to be visible to an observer of card 100.For example, labeling techniques, such as printing, embossing, laseretching, etc., may be utilized to visibly implement permanent portion104.

Card 100 may include a second dynamic number that may also be entirely,or partially, displayed via a second display (e.g., display 108).Display 108 may be utilized, for example, to display a dynamic code suchas a dynamic security code. Card 100 may also include third display 122that may be used to display graphical information, such as logos andbarcodes. Third display 122 may also be utilized to display multiplerows and/or columns of textual and/or graphical information.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that any one or more ofdisplays 106, 108, and/or 122 may be implemented as a bi-stable display.For example, information provided on displays 106, 108, and/or 122 maybe stable in at least two different states (e.g., a powered-on state anda powered-off state). Any one or more of displays 106, 108, and/or 122may be implemented as a non-bi-stable display. For example, the displayis stable in response to operational power that is applied to thenon-bi-stable display. Other display types, such as LCD orelectrochromic, may be provided as well.

Other permanent information, such as permanent information 120, may beincluded within card 100, which may include user specific information,such as the cardholder's name or username. Permanent information 120may, for example, include information that is specific to card 100(e.g., a card issue date and/or a card expiration date). Information 120may represent, for example, information that includes information thatis both specific to the cardholder, as well as information that isspecific to card 100.

Card 100 may accept user input data via any one or more data inputdevices, such as buttons 110-118. Buttons 110-118 may be included toaccept data entry through mechanical distortion, contact, or proximity.Buttons 110-118 may be responsive to, for example, induced changesand/or deviations in light intensity, pressure magnitude, or electricand/or magnetic field strength. Such information exchange may bedetermined and processed by card 100 as data input. Embedded hologram149 may be provided beneath at least a layer of transparent polymer(e.g., transparent PVC) to protect the hologram from the environment.

Card 100 may be implemented using architecture 150, which may includeone or more processors 154. One or more processors 154 may be configuredto utilize external memory 152, internal memory, or a combination ofexternal memory 152 and internal memory for dynamically storinginformation, such as executable machine language, related dynamicmachine data, and user input data values.

One or more of the components shown in architecture 150 may beconfigured to transmit information to processor 154 and/or may beconfigured to receive information as transmitted by processor 154. Forexample, one or more displays 156 may be coupled to receive data fromprocessor 154. The data received from processor 154 may include, forexample, at least a portion of dynamic numbers and/or dynamic codes. Thedata to be displayed on the display may be displayed on one or moredisplays 156.

One or more displays 156 may, for example, be touch sensitive and/orproximity sensitive. For example, objects such as fingers, pointingdevices, etc., may be brought into contact with displays 156, or inproximity to displays 156. Detection of object proximity or objectcontact with displays 156 may be effective to perform any type offunction (e.g., provide particular data to processor 154). Displays 156may have multiple locations that are able to be determined as beingtouched, or determined as being in proximity to an object.

Input and/or output devices may be implemented within architecture 150.For example, integrated circuit (IC) chip 160 (e.g., an EMV chip) may beincluded on a card (e.g., card 100 of FIG. 1), that can communicateinformation with a chip reader (e.g., an EMV chip reader). Radiofrequency identification (RFID) module 162 may be included within a card(e.g., card 100 of FIG. 1) to enable the exchange of information betweenan RFID reader and a card (e.g., card 100 of FIG. 1).

Other input and/or output devices 168 may be included withinarchitecture 150, for example, to provide any number of input and/oroutput capabilities on a card (e.g., card 100 of FIG. 1). For example,other input and/or output devices 168 may include an audio devicecapable of receiving and/or transmitting audible information.

Other input and/or output devices 168 may include a device thatexchanges analog and/or digital data using a visible data carrier. Otherinput and/or output devices 168 may include a device, for example, thatis sensitive to a non-visible data carrier, such as an infrared datacarrier or electromagnetic data carrier.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a card (e.g., card 100of FIG. 1) may, for example, be a self-contained device that derives itsown operational power from one or more batteries 158. Furthermore, oneor more batteries 158 may be included, for example, to provideoperational power to a card (e.g., card 100 of FIG. 1) for a number ofyears (e.g., approximately 2 years). One or more batteries 158 may beincluded, for example, as rechargeable batteries.

Dynamic magnetic stripe communications device 102 may be included oncard 100 to communicate information to, for example, a read-head of amagnetic stripe reader via, for example, electromagnetic signals. Forexample, electromagnetic field generators 170-174 may be included tocommunicate one or more tracks of electromagnetic data to read-heads ofa magnetic stripe reader. Electromagnetic field generators 170-174 mayinclude, for example, a series of electromagnetic elements, where eachelectromagnetic element may be implemented as a coil wrapped around oneor more materials (e.g., a magnetic material and/or a non-magneticmaterial). Additional materials may be placed outside the coil (e.g., amagnetic material and/or a non-magnetic material).

Electrical excitation by processor 154 of one or more coils of one ormore electromagnetic elements via, for example, driving circuitry 164may be effective to generate electromagnetic fields from one or moreelectromagnetic elements. One or more electromagnetic field generators170-174 may be utilized to communicate electromagnetic information to,for example, one or more read-heads of a magnetic stripe reader.

Timing aspects of information exchange between a card and the variousI/O devices implemented on a card may be determined by a card (e.g.,card 100 of FIG. 1). One or more detectors 166 may be utilized, forexample, to sense the proximity, mechanical distortion, or actualcontact, of an external device, which in turn, may trigger theinitiation of a communication sequence. The sensed presence or touch ofthe external device may then be communicated to a controller (e.g.,processor 154), which in turn may direct the exchange of informationbetween a card (e.g., card 100 of FIG. 1) and the external device. Thesensed presence, mechanical distortion, or touch of the external devicemay be effective to, for example, determine the type of device or objectdetected.

For example, the detection may include the detection of, for example, aread-head housing of a magnetic stripe reader. In response, processor154 may activate one or more electromagnetic field generators 170-174 toinitiate a communications sequence with, for example, one or moreread-heads of a magnetic stripe reader. The timing relationshipsassociated with communications to one or more electromagnetic fieldgenerators 170-174 and one or more read-heads of a magnetic stripereader may be provided through use of the detection of the magneticstripe reader.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that processor 154 mayprovide user-specific and/or card-specific information throughutilization of any one or more buttons (e.g., buttons 110-118 of FIG.1), RFID 162, IC chip 160, electromagnetic field generators 170-174, andother input and/or output devices 168.

Embedded hologram 199 may be provided. Embedded hologram 199 may befixed to, for example, a printed circuit board that is flexible thatincludes conductive traces (e.g., copper traces) between the electricalelements of architecture 150.

FIG. 2 shows card 200 that may include, for example, print material 210,transparent polymer 220, laminate 230, electronics 240, flexible printedcircuit board 250, transparent polymer 260, print material 270, andembedded hologram 280. Laminate 230 may be provided between, forexample, embedded hologram 280 and transparent polymer 260.

The thickness of card 200 may be, for example, between approximately 30thousandths of an inch thick and approximately 33 thousandths of an inchthick. Print material layers 210 and 270 may be, for example, betweenapproximately one half of a thousandth of an inch thick and twothousandths of an inch thick. Transparent polymer layers 220 and 260 maybe, for example, between 4 and 5 thousandths of an inch thick.Electronics 240, flexible printed circuit board 250, hologram 280, andlaminate 230 may be, for example, between 16 and 22 thousandths of aninch thick.

FIG. 3 shows card 300 that may include, for example, flexible printedcircuit board 310, adhesive 320, embedded hologram 330, and transparentpolymer 340.

Holograms 330 may be provided in a strip form. The strip of hologramsmay be cut, for example, by an automated cutting machine.

An automated adhesive application machine may apply, for example,adhesive 320 to flexible printed circuit board 310. Tape-based adhesivemay be provided in strip form. An automated machine may cut such stripand pick and place the cut strips to flexible printed circuit board 310.

An automated hologram application machine may, for example, apply (e.g.,pick and place) hologram 330 to adhesive 320.

The automated machines provided herein may be, for example, provided asany number of machines.

For example, the automated machines may be provided as a singleautomated machine.

FIG. 4 shows card portion 400 that may include, for example, flexibleprinted circuit board 410, adhesive 420, embedded hologram 430, printmaterial 450, transparent polymer 440, and print material 460. Cardportion 400 may, for example, be indicative of perspective 480 in whichhologram 482 is viewable from the exterior of card 481. Card portion 400may, for example, be indicative of perspective 490 in which hologram 492is particularly printed over so that visible hologram portion 493 isviewable from the exterior of card 491.

At least a portion of electronic circuitry may be assembled to a printedcircuit board in a particular facility in a particular country. One ormore holograms may be applied to the printed circuit board at thatfacility. The partially assembled printed circuit board may be shippedto a different facility in a different country. Assembly of the printedcircuit board may be completed at this different particular facility.Multiple printed circuit boards may be included in a card and may beelectrically and mechanically coupled together. One or more hologramsmay be applied to either of these printed circuit boards at thisdifferent facility. Lamination of the cards as well as pre-printing ofbranding information may occur at this different facility. Pre-printedlaminated cards may be shipped to yet another facility where, forexample, one or more holograms may be provided on the surface of thecard and personalization printing may occur.

Personalization printing may include, for example, the printing of atleast one cardholder's name, payment card number, expiration date, andsecurity code to a card. Other forms of personalization may occur suchas, for example, programming of a chip provided in the card withpersonal data such as, for example, multiple tracks of magnetic stripedata or other chip-related data. The board assembly, hologramapplication, lamination, printing, personalization, and other processesdiscussed herein may be provided at several facilities in severalcountries (e.g., four facilities in three countries) or in a singlefacility in one country. After a card is personalized, for example, thecard may be attached to a mailing medium and mailed in an envelope to acustomer.

FIG. 5 shows flow charts 510, 520, and 530. Flow chart 510 may include,for example, step 511, in which electronics are assembled to a board.One or more holograms may be fixed to the board in step 512, a card maybe laminated with the electronics and board embedded in the card in step513, and the card may be printed in step 514.

Flow chart 520 may include, for example, step 521, in which printmaterial may be provided on a hologram. The hologram with the printingmay be fixed to a board in step 522. A card may be laminated in step523. A card may be printed in step 524.

Flow chart 530 may be provided and may include step 531, where anadhesive is applied to a board. A hologram may be applied to theadhesive in step 532. A card may be formed in step 533. The card may beprinted and printing may occur over the area where the hologram may beperceived outside the card in step 534.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a layer of transparentpolymer may have a first transparency before a card is formed and asecond transparency after the card is formed. The layer of transparentpolymer may, for example, be more transparent after the card is formedthan before the card is formed.

FIG. 6 shows card 600 that may be configured as configuration 680.Particularly, a card may include one or more magnetic stripes, signaturepanels, and/or holograms that are affixed to a polymer (e.g., atransparent polymer) surface of a card and then at least partiallyprinted over (e.g., via the deposition of print material that is laterhardened by a light-based reaction).

Card 600 may include transparent polymer 601, electrical and/ormechanical components 602, flexible printed circuit board 603, laminate604, transparent polymer 605, magnetic stripe 606. Signature panel 607,hologram 608, and print material 609. Components 602 may include, forexample, one or more batteries, reader communication devices,processors, buttons, capacitive sensors, light sensors (e.g., visiblelight and/or infrared sensors, sources of light, or any othercomponents). Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a user maypress a button on a device (e.g., card 600) and pre-determinedinformation stored in a memory of the device may be retrieved based onthe selected button and communicated to a device reader (e.g., via adynamic magnetic stripe communications device, a radio-frequencyidentification antenna such an a near-field-communication antenna,and/or an exposed contact chip such as an EMV chip). A liquid laminatemay be utilized and poured over components 602 and may be hardenedbetween polymer 601 and 605 via a reaction process. The reaction processmay be, for example, chemical, temperature, light-based, time-based,pressure-based, and/or air-based in nature.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that any number of magneticstripes, signature panels, and/or holograms may be affixed directly to alayer of material (e.g., polymer 601) of card 600 including the printmaterial. The print material may be provided over a portion of amagnetic stripe, signature panel, and/or holograms. In doing so, theedges of the magnetic stripe, signature panel, and/or hologram may notbe exposed. Accordingly, the strength of such structures may beincreased. An adhesive may be utilized, for example, to affix a magneticstripe, signature panel, hologram, and/or other structures to a layer ofmaterial (e.g., a print material or layer of transparent ornon-transparent polymer). Such an adhesive may be pre-applied to astructure. A structure such as, for example, a magnetic stripe,signature panel, and/or hologram may be affixed via a pre-determinedtemperature and pre-determined pressure for a pre-determined amount oftime.

Configuration 680 may include magnetic stripe 681, signature panel 682,and hologram 683 in card, or other device, 684. A magnetic stripe,signature panel 682, and hologram 683 may be provided on the samesurface of a card or may be provided on different surfaces of a card.For example, a magnetic stripe and signature panel may be provided on areverse side of a card while a hologram is provided on the obverse sideof a card. A hologram may be provided, for example, on both sides of acard. A device, for example, with a dynamic magnetic stripecommunications device that can send different information to a magneticstripe reader may, for example, not have a magnetic stripe. Hologramsmay be of a particular shape (e.g., rectangular) and may be printed overwith print material so the hologram is observable from outside the cardhas having a different shape (e.g., oval) as the different shape portionviewable as a hologram. Print material may, for example, be providedover a rectangular hologram such that the viewable portion of therectangular hologram has rounded corners. A signature panel may bealigned against a side of the card or may be centered horizontally,vertically, or centered horizontally and vertically on a surface of thecard. Material viewable outside of visible light (e.g., viewable underan ultraviolet light) may be added to any surface of the device (e.g.,card 600). Such material may, for example, increase the security of thedevice by increasing the complexity to counterfeit such a device.

Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the presentinvention is not limited to only the embodiments described. Instead, thepresent invention more generally involves dynamic information. Personsskilled in the art will also appreciate that the apparatus of thepresent invention may be implemented in ways other than those describedherein. All such modifications are within the scope of the presentinvention, which is limited only by the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: affixing a hologram to ahologram region of a card layer; and printing a first material layer onthe card layer such that at least a first portion of the hologram regiondoes not include the first material layer.
 2. The method of claim 1,further comprising: printing a second material layer on the hologram andthe first material layer such that the first portion of the hologramregion does not include the second material layer.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: printing a second material layer on thehologram and the first material layer such that the first portion of thehologram region does not include the second material layer, wherein thehologram region does not include the first material layer.
 4. The methodof claim 1, wherein the hologram region does not include the firstmaterial layer, and a thickness of the first material layer is about thethickness of the hologram.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the cardlayer is a polymer layer.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the printinga first material layer on the card layer includes printing the firstmaterial layer on a second portion of the hologram region.
 7. The methodof claim 1, wherein the affixing a hologram includes utilizing anadhesive.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first material layer isopaque, the printing a first material layer on the card layer includesprinting the first material layer on a second portion of the hologramregion and on the hologram, and a viewable region of the hologram is adifferent shape than the hologram.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein thefirst material layer includes an acrylic material.
 10. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the printing a first material layer includesdrop-on-demand printing.
 11. A method comprising: affixing a signaturepanel to a signature region of a card layer; and printing a firstmaterial layer on the card layer such that at least a portion of thesignature region does not include the first material layer.
 12. Themethod of claim 11, further comprising: printing a second material layeron the signature panel and the first material layer such that the firstportion of the signature region does not include the second materiallayer.
 13. The method of claim 11, further comprising: printing a secondmaterial layer on the signature panel and the first material layer suchthat the first portion of the signature region does not include thesecond material layer, wherein the signature region does not include thefirst material layer.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the signatureregion does not include the first print material region, and a thicknessof the first material layer is about the thickness of the signaturepanel.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the card layer is a polymerlayer.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the printing a first materiallayer on the card layer includes printing the first material layer on asecond portion of the signature region.
 17. The method of claim 11,wherein the affixing a signature panel includes utilizing an adhesive.18. The method of claim 11, wherein the first material layer is opaque,the printing a first material layer on the card layer includes printingthe first material layer on a second portion of the signature region,and an area of a viewable region of the signature panel is a differentfrom an area of the signature panel.
 19. The method of claim 11, whereinthe first material layer includes an acrylic material.
 20. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the printing a first material layer includesdrop-on-demand printing.